Repairs and maintenance

Door closer repairs

A door closer is the hydraulic arm unit fixed at the top of a door that brings it shut after each use. Door closer repairs mean adjusting, refitting or replacing that unit and its arm, so that the door closes and latches at a controlled speed.

Book a repair visit Call 0800 088 6341

Technician adjusting an overhead door closer

How do you know you need this?

You need this if the door slams, closes too slowly, stops short of the latch, feels heavy to open or has oil running down the closer body. A bent arm or loose fixings are other signs. On a fire door the closer is part of the safety system, so a door that no longer shuts fully needs attention and should never be wedged open.

What do we fix?

Slamming doorClosing speed and latch speed are set with valves. We adjust them, and replace the unit if the valves no longer hold.

Leaking closerOil on the door or floor means the hydraulic seal has gone, and the closer needs replacing.

Door too heavy to openToo much spring power makes an entrance hard to use. Setting the right size brings the opening force down.

Door will not latchThe cause is often the latch speed or a tight keep, so we check them together.

Bent or loose armArms bend when doors are blown open or forced past their stop. We fit a new arm and check the fixings.

Fire door closersA fire door needs a closer of at least power size EN 3 that is suitable for that door, with evidence to match.

How much does it cost to replace a door closer?

Repairing or replacing a door closer costs £145 to £345 ex VAT per closer. Concealed closers, fire-rated units and awkward fixings sit towards the top of that range. Many jobs can be priced from a photo of the closer and the door. When that is not possible, a charged diagnostic visit, from £125 ex VAT, comes first, with the cost confirmed before we travel.

Guide prices exclude VAT. Your repair price, including any visit charge, is confirmed before work starts.

What is the specification?

Standard	BS EN 1154
Choosing a size	EN 1 to EN 7 by door width and weight; if the two differ, use the higher size
Larger doors	EN 5 covers doors up to 1250 mm and 100 kg, EN 6 up to 1400 mm and 120 kg
Fire doors	EN 3 minimum
Opening force guidance	Approved Document M and BS 8300: no more than 30 N from closed, and 22.5 N between 30 and 60 degrees
Mounting	Face-fixed on the door, transom-mounted, or concealed in the door or frame

How does the job run?

Photograph the closer
Send a photo of the closer, the arm and the whole door, along with any fire door label.
Check the size
We match the power size to the door's width and weight, and to any fire rating.
Fit or adjust
The closer is adjusted if it is sound. If not, it is replaced and the arm is reset.
Set the speeds
Closing and latching speeds are set so that the door shuts fully and is not heavy to open.

Common questions

Can a door closer be adjusted rather than replaced?

Yes, if it is not leaking. Most closers have valves that set the closing and latching speed, and many have adjustable power. If the unit is leaking oil, or adjustment makes no difference, it needs replacing.

Why is my shop door so hard to open?

The closer is probably too powerful or badly set. Approved Document M and BS 8300 give guidance of no more than 30 N at the start of opening and 22.5 N from 30 to 60 degrees. Under the Equality Act 2010, service providers must make reasonable adjustments.

Can I take the closer off a fire door?

No, not if the door is meant to be self-closing. The closer is part of the door's fire protection, and removing it can leave a route unprotected. In England and Wales, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires it to be maintained.

What size door closer do I need?

The size depends on the door's width and weight under BS EN 1154. EN 3 suits doors up to 950 mm and 60 kg, and fire doors need EN 3 or above. Exposed doors in windy spots may need more power, which we check on site.

Which materials go with this?

Book a repair visit

Tell us what has gone wrong. Send photos when we reply and we can often price it without a visit.

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